By Steve GarmhausenFor months consumers have watched interest rates steadily climb. “This is the Fed just kind of waiting and seeing,” says investment adviser Brian Frank, in Key Biscayne, Fla.What does the Fed ‘pause’ mean? While no one knows where interest rates are headed, here is how to prepare yourself for three basic scenarios. If the Fed pulls away the football, stock prices could retreat. In that case, folks with higher mortgage rates can eventually refinance.

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Persons: Steve Garmhausen, ”, Brian Frank, you’ve, Jon Foster, “, can’t, Frank, you’ll Organizations: Federal Reserve, Fed, won’t, Nasdaq Locations: Key Biscayne, Fla, Los Angeles